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Chris' 2026 NFL mock draft with expert predictions, top prospects, and team selections for the upcoming draft, featuring Fernando Mendoza, Carnell Tate, Jeremiyah Love, and more.
The vast majority of NFL free-agency moves are done, with only a handful of potential starters left on the open market. With that big milestone behind us, we are now firmly in the pro-day circuit. That means we are seeing some players boost their stock with artificially enhanced numbers, while others pass on the process or wish they had.
Those who have potentially helped their stock in this process include Kadyn Proctor, Jermod McCoy, D'Angelo Ponds, and Mansoor Delane. McCoy specifically helped himself just by looking healthy, while Proctor reportedly pushed his stock into OT1 consideration for Cleveland. Buyer beware of those numbers, but they often matter.
With this information trickling in, along with coach speak and "lying season" well underway, below you will find our latest projection for the first round of this year's NFL Draft. Included below are two potential trades, which should serve as a reminder that moves up may happen this year ... but they could be at a discount given the dearth of blue chips available.
Editor's Note: Prepare for draft day with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Mock Drafts. Use our free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Tool and Draft Assistant to explore player trends, ADP insights, and winning roster strategies for every league format.
2026 First-Round Picks and Predictions
1. Las Vegas Raiders- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Reports are that the Raiders already have Mendoza working out with their full playbook during his training with Brian Griese. That should tell you all you need to know about this pick and how foregone a conclusion it is.
FERNANDO. MENDOZA.
THE PLAY OF A LIFETIME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/g3o5nNNslr
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
2. New York Jets- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese would fill multiple holes for the Jets, but he should be drafted primarily as an outside linebacker and pass-rusher in the 3-4 scheme New York is reportedly implementing. He has the most upside of any pass-rushing prospect in this class; thus, he fills a major need.
3. Arizona Cardinals- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
While the Cardinals could target the duo of Francis Mauigoa here and Ty Simpson later, we are projecting them to draft a QB in 2027 instead. That leaves them choosing between Rueben Bain Jr. and Bailey, but Bailey is a better fit for their 3-4 hybrid front.
4. Tennessee Titans- Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (FL)
The Titans should strongly consider offense with this pick to help Cam Ward grow, but teams with defensive-minded head coaches often focus on defense early. Bain is the kind of tireless defender with inside/outside versatility that Robert Saleh usually likes, and he would be a good fit for that 4-3 front.
5. New York Giants- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
While Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs are both possibilities here and superior prospects, both play positions of lesser value in the NFL, and both are somewhat redundant for the Giants. Delane plays a premium position that the Giants could use, and his pro-day numbers could elevate him this high.
6. Cleveland Browns- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Left tackle is a strong option here, and the Browns are rumored to be considering Kadyn Proctor with this pick, but taking Proctor or Monroe Freeling here would be a reach. Tate offers good value, though, plus he's already in-state and plays a position of need.
Carnell Tate is in line to be the next great @ohiostatefb wide receiver to go to the pros 🌰
2026 NFL Combine starts Thursday 3pm ET on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hpI1fAeo7M— NFL (@NFL) February 24, 2026
7. Washington Commanders- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love has been our choice for Washington in nearly every mock so far, with the Notre Dame product's receiving skills and burst offering an intriguing safety valve for Jayden Daniels. Plus, Washington's GM was part of the 49ers front office that prioritized a receiving back (Christian McCaffrey) several years ago.
8. New Orleans Saints- Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
The top edge-rushers are gone in this mock, and the Saints know they can get a good receiver in the second round, perhaps Tyler Shough's college teammate, Chris Bell. Downs would be an improvement over Jonas Sanker at free safety and offers nickelback versatility, which is also a need for New Orleans.
9. Kansas City Chiefs- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Chiefs should consider Kenyon Sadiq with this pick, but the need to protect Patrick Mahomes by filling a hole at right tackle makes too much sense. Mauigoa would immediately improve Kansas City's run blocking, attitude, and help Mahomes stay upright as he recovers from knee surgery.
10. Cincinnati Bengals- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Few expect Styles to fall this far, but interior linebacker remains one of the least valued positions amongst NFL teams in terms of draft capital, and that could force Styles down a bit. The Bengals would jump at the chance to change the face of their defense with Styles.
11. Miami Dolphins- Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Jeff Hafley has spoken publicly about getting tougher along their offensive line, and Fano would help with that. The Dolphins could plug Fano in at left guard immediately and bump him out to right tackle when Austin Jackson's contract expires next year.
12. TRADE: Detroit Lions- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Detroit jumps ahead of the Rams, who could be in the market for Freeling's services, while the Cowboys add the second-round pick they traded to the Jets. Freeling has almost the EXACT measurables of Detroit's former left tackle, Taylor Decker, but is a better athlete with longer arms.
Trade Compensation:
Detroit Receives: Picks No. 12 and No. 112
Dallas Receives: Picks No. 17 and No. 50
13. Los Angeles Rams- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
With Freeling off the board, this pick should firmly be a wide receiver ... meaning this comes down to Lemon and Jordyn Tyson now that Los Angeles is out on A.J. Brown. While Tyson is slightly higher on my board, Lemon's health and toughness fit the Rams' win-now motif.
14. Baltimore Ravens- Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Ioane remains a strong option for a Ravens team that historically loves to pound the rock between the tackles, a strategy they should continue to employ with Derrick Henry still in town. Ioane is arguably the safest blocker in this class and fills a need for Baltimore inside.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Tight end is not the biggest need for Tampa Bay after the re-signing of Cade Otton, but Sadiq would be a significant upgrade as a blocker and receiving weapon. Of the Buccaneers' areas of need, Sadiq is easily the best value at this pick.
16. New York Jets- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Unfortunately, Tyson continues to make the most sense for a Jets team that has historically wasted premium talent like his. Injuries could force the talented Sun Devil into the laps of a Gang Green squad in need of a second playmaker in their receiver room.
17. *Dallas Cowboys- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Dallas needs help at linebacker, edge-rusher, and in the secondary. With just two teams between this pick and its next selection, the Cowboys can focus on the talented but risky McCoy, knowing that Minnesota and Carolina are unlikely to take an edge after them.
18. Minnesota Vikings- Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman to the Vikings has become boilerplate in the draft community, as the former Duck is a strong athlete with plus ball skills and good recognition on tape. He would fill a major need for a Minnesota team that needs a succession plan for the aging Harrison Smith.
19. TRADE: Cleveland Browns- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
There are rumors that Cleveland likes Proctor at No. 6 overall, but the film doesn't support such a reach. Instead, expect Cleveland to consider trading up for Proctor in the teens, looking to hop the Steelers and Chargers, who could also be in the market for Proctor's services.
Traded Compensation:
Cleveland Receives: Pick No. 19
Carolina Receives: Picks No. 24, No. 107, No. 146, and No. 206
20. Dallas Cowboys- Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (FL)
The Cowboys continue to make sense for the older Mesidor, as a team whose win-now mandate is driven by an owner who is increasingly aware of his own age and limited window. Mesidor can win with power, speed, and leverage, making him a great fit at Dallas' biggest need.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers- Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
With the top left tackles off the board, look for Pittsburgh to consider a long-term replacement for defensive leader Cameron Heyward. Heyward is nearing the end of his career, and Faulk's combination of size and athleticism would be a perfect replacement plan.
22. Los Angeles Chargers- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Safety is an underrated need for the Chargers, especially with Derwin James Jr. focusing most of his time in the slot and as a box-hybrid defender. McNeil-Warren would fill that need with plus-size and above-average coverage skills on the back end.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Offensive tackle and defensive end are both major needs for Philadelphia, but it should like its edge options better than the tackles in the second round, so it could want to grab one of the top tackles in the class before they dry up. Miller is a good athlete with ideal size and a lot of experience.
24. *Carolina Panthers- Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Carolina lucks out in this scenario, moving back and still getting the receiver it would've targeted at pick No. 19. Cooper has the speed to stretch defenses, the ball skills to make contested catches, and he gains a lot of yards after the catch. He's a perfect complement to Tetairoa McMillan.
Omar Cooper Jr. finds the end zone 🙌 @IndianaFootball
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/eRDi8eIYhN
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 29, 2025
25. Chicago Bears- T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
The Bears need pass-rush help across from Montez Sweat, but they could also use an edge setter against the run. Parker had a disappointing final season at Clemson, but he has the length and power that coaches drool over, and he's stout against the run.
26. Buffalo Bills- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Injuries ravaged Buffalo's linebacker corps last year, and Terrel Bernard's play declined as well. With Matt Milano still a free agent, the Bills need multiple linebacker spots, and Allen can fill the biggest one in the middle. He is the ideal leader and captain for a championship defense.
27. San Francisco 49ers- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The John Lynch/Kyle Shanahan duo has used 40% of their Day 1 and Day 2 draft picks on defensive line and receiver since coming to San Fran. That history and the talent left in this mock suggest they could lean receiver again. Boston's size, blocking, and route running make him the ideal upgrade over Jauan Jennings.
28. Houston Texans- Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods may not be a first-round pick, but he is in the discussion at the back end of this round for several teams. Houston needs a penetrating 3-tech, and Woods is the ideal athlete for that role in DeMeco Ryans' scheme.
29. Kansas City Chiefs- D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
The Chiefs lost a lot of talent in their secondary, and their current slot corner missed all of last season. Kansas City historically values the nickel position, with star Trent McDuffie playing there primarily during its last Super Bowl run. Ponds is small but a souped-up athlete with tenacity and burst.
30. Miami Dolphins- KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Miami could go secondary here, but Jeff Hafley has a history of "making do" with what he has in the secondary, and the Dolphins created a major need at receiver. While I am lower on Concepcion's ability, primarily changing direction and at top-end speed, he does have playmaking skills that Malik Willis needs.
31. New England Patriots- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Mike Vrabel has a history of maximizing undersized but quick edge-rushers who were productive in college. Howell has supreme burst and knifes through defenses with good angles and anticipation. He would be a fine fit for a Patriots defense that lost a starting edge in free agency.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Seahawks lost several secondary starters in free agency, and Cisse fits exactly what they look for in defensive backs. He has good length, good play strength, elite top-end speed, and smooth lateral movement.
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